Ghaziabad Shoe Showroom Targeted in Daring Robbery Near Police Station
In a brazen incident that has raised security concerns, thieves targeted a shoe showroom on Railway Road in Modinagar, Ghaziabad, located merely 100 metres from the local police station. The criminals made off with a significant haul, including more than 20 pairs of shoes, approximately Rs 2.5 lakh in cash, the DVR of the CCTV cameras, and a laptop from the premises.
Modus Operandi of the Thieves
Investigations suggest that the thieves employed a calculated approach to execute the robbery. It is suspected that they first climbed onto the roof of the adjacent building and patiently waited for the owner of the Big Boss Shoe Centre, Rajkumar Gupta, to shut his shop at 10 PM on Sunday. Once the coast was clear, they broke into the showroom through a skylight on the third floor, systematically robbing the store before making their escape through the back door.
The targeted showroom is situated in a three-storeyed building, which also houses a gym in the basement. Interestingly, the building next door is a branch of Indian Bank, adding to the audacity of the crime given the proximity to financial institutions and law enforcement.
Discovery and Police Response
Rajkumar Gupta discovered the theft when he opened his showroom around 10 AM on Monday. He found shoes scattered across the floor, cash missing from the locker, and the laptop gone. The DVR of the CCTV cameras installed in the showroom was also taken, potentially hindering initial investigative efforts. Gupta promptly informed the police about the incident.
ACP of Modinagar, Amit Saxena, confirmed that an FIR has been registered against unknown persons under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The charges include Section 305 (theft) and Section 331(4), which pertains to lurking house-trespass or house-breaking by night to commit an offence punishable with imprisonment.
Ongoing Investigation Efforts
In response to the robbery, police have launched a comprehensive investigation. Three specialized teams have been formed to track down and apprehend the accused. Authorities are meticulously checking CCTV footage from nearby areas to identify the thieves and are also questioning local residents to gather potential leads.
This incident highlights ongoing challenges in urban crime prevention, particularly in commercial areas, and underscores the need for enhanced security measures even in locations close to police stations.
